Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability, but granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis from April 4, 2017 to July 13, 2020.

The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and its impact on employability, as well as an assessment of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or the loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated conditions, as well as entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities were contributory causes of his death.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right knee condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition with right side leg pain, left knee condition, hypertension, headaches, respiratory condition, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left wrist condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, dry mouth, and a skin condition. Several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disorder and right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tendinosis based on the evidence showing a relationship to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 28, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, low back disability, and a disability rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 26, 2016. However, it granted service connection for a right foot disability secondary to PTSD, as well as higher ratings of 70 percent and 100 percent for PTSD effective April 28, 2017 and February 4, 2021 respectively, and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status as of August 3, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, as an adequate medical opinion has not been obtained.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lower back condition was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and tinnitus as they require further development in the form of VA examinations.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, effective December 1, 2024.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back condition to correct an error by the AOJ in satisfying a regulatory duty prior to the decision on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, circumcision scar, urinary tract condition (including residuals of gonorrhea, recurrent urinary tract infections, and BPH), degenerative disc disease, and left leg condition (including radiculopathy). The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, low back condition, hemorrhoids, sleep apnea, chronic constipation, and pseudo folliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board remands the claims for additional medical examination to address deficiencies in the current evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition as further development is needed to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left hamstring disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and various other disabilities. The claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, acquired psychiatric, systemic lupus erythematosus, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, left knee, right knee, and bilateral shin splints were remanded.